CEMENT ADMIXTURES ASSOCIATION

Office: 38a Tilehouse Green Lane, Knowle, West Midlands B93 9EY
Tel/Fax: 01564 776362
www.admixtures.org.uk
Secretary: John Dransfield

ADMIXTURE INFORMATION SHEET AIS 2

BS 8443 SPECIAL PURPOSE ADMIXTURES
BS 8443: Specification for establishing the suitability of special purpose concrete admixtures.
This standard was produced under the guidance of BSI technical committee B517/3 to enable admixtures
that are not currently covered by EN 934 to show established suitability for use in concrete as required by
EN 206.
Compliance with the requirements of BS 8443 should be accepted as proof that the admixture is fit for
purpose and suitable for use in all concretes produced to BS EN 206 and/or BS 8500.
BS 8443 covers seven categories of special purpose concrete admixtures that are in widespread use in the
United Kingdom. The Standard covers semi-dry concrete admixtures for precast concrete and the following
admixtures for plain, reinforced, foamed and prestressed concrete that are used in a precast plant or are
used in site mixed or ready mixed concrete.

underwater concrete admixtures

shrinkage reducing admixtures
corrosion inhibiting admixtures
pumping aids
segregation reducing admixtures
foaming admixtures

The requirements follow the format established by BS EN 934-2:

General requirements that characterise the admixture by physical and chemical measurements.
Specific requirements that characterise the performance of the admixture in a reference concrete
mix.
The specific requirements cover performance in a cementitous mix where suitable laboratory tests are
available; however for some of the admixtures there is no internationally agreed laboratory test available to
measure their effectiveness in relation to the primary function. This is usually because the performance is
specific to the materials and equipment used on site and can only be demonstrated by full scale trials. In
these cases the effectiveness is required to be agreed between the manufacturer and purchaser based on
trials and/or performance information provided by the manufacturer for the admixture.
The information provided by the manufacturer should be in the form of a test report containing the
information required by BS 8443. The test laboratory should be subject to ISO 9001 accreditation.
Where specific requirements cannot be tested on a reference mix, the manufacturer should provide
documented evidence based on one or more of the following:
Site trials and use
Historical data on satisfactory performance
Published papers
Laboratory trials based on published and peer reviewed test methods.

This information is provided for guidance only. CAA cannot accept responsibility for its practical application.
27.12.06